Bishop Francis Duffy expresses shock at desecration of Longford church

16. Apr, 2017

Bishop Francis Duffy, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, has expressed his shock and sadness at the desecration of St Michael’s Church, Shroid, in Longford parish.

The church was broken into and the tabernacle has been stolen. The break-in was discovered on Easter Sunday morning. The church had not been in use over the Easter period when all parish ceremonies took place in Saint Mel’s Cathedral in Longford town.

Bishop Duffy visited the scene of the break-in this morning. Speaking afterwards he said, “This act of desecration is disrespectful to religion and to the local community. It is extremely upsetting for the parishioners and the clergy here in Longford that something like this could happen, but especially during Holy Week.

“The tabernacle is the centre piece of every Mass as it holds the sacred Communion hosts. It holds the bread that we believe has been transformed into the body of Christ. That is what we believe and that is why this act of desecration is so distressing.

“The tabernacle is of great significance to the local parish here. We would love to be able to get it back so I appeal this Easter Sunday morning for anyone with any information to contact the Gardai at Longford Garda Station on 043 335 0570.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Bishop Francis Duffy is Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.

A tabernacle is a fixed, locked box in which the Eucharist is “reserved” (stored).